By James Slater: It’s been reported by U.K tabloid The Sun (and the story has been picked up by multiple web sites) that Genaro Rodriguez of Chicago has been selected to be the third man in the ring on July 2nd, when rival heavyweight champions Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye get it on in Hamburg.
It has also been reported how “The Hayemaker” is unhappy with this choice of referee – to the extent that Team-Haye have protested over the selection of Rodriguez. Why? Apparently because Rodriguez has officiated four of Wladimir’s fights. This number is seen as too high in Camp-Haye. The first worry or concern anyone is prone to have when reading about this so-called protest is, will the fight be in any jeopardy if another ref is demanded by Haye yet not provided?
With some bookmakers taking bets on the fight (which has seen it’s share of troubles in the past, being postponed once already and having taken months of hard work to get it back on for next Saturday) falling apart again, the last thing fans need is this latest news. Hopefully it will all be forgotten and the fight will proceed as planned whoever the referee is.
Looking at Rodriguez’ refereeing record as listed on Boxrec.com, it’s clear to see there is absolutely nothing wrong with his credentials. Having refereed a number of world title fight staged at many different weights, from minimum-weight all the way up to heavyweight, Rodriguez has plenty of experience. He has refereed four of Wladimir’s fights and no Haye fights, but is four fights all that many considering how “Dr. Steel Hammer” has had close to twenty world title fights (if you include his WBO title bouts)?
Also, Rodriguez is far from a lucky omen of a referee for Wladimir, as he was the third man in the ring that painful night when Klitschko was iced inside a couple of rounds by Corrie Sanders in 2003. Also, up until Wladimir’s March 2010 win over Eddie Chambers, Rodriguz hadn’t refereed a Wladimir fight. As such, Rodriguez can hardly be looked at as a referee who is in any way in Klitschko’s pocket.
Again, hopefully this latest episode in the Klitschko-Haye saga will prove to be nothing to worry about. No way can the fight collapse this close to the opening bell!